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Abstract

This study examined the impact of providing and receiving support on the quality of life (QOL) of the elderly. Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face interviews with 714 rural community residents aged 60 and over in Korea. Subjects were asked a series of structured questions including age, sex, living arrangement, physical functions, and the frequency of providing and receiving support in their network (spouse, children, and friends). The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale was used to measure degree of QOL. Results indicated that respondents had family-centered support networks. We found a significant correlation between support and physical functions and, less strongly, between support and age. When physical function was controlled, ANOVAs (Analyses of Variance) showed that providing support to their children and friends was more strongly related to QOL score than receiving support from the in both males and females. Overall, the elderly who exchanged support frequently, both providing and receiving support, showed the highest QOL in most situations. Researchers and policy makers should explore the potential benefits of providing support as well as receiving support.

Intergenerational Family Relations and Life Satisfaction Among Three Elderly Population Groups in Transition in the Israeli Multi-cultural Society

“…These researchers found that "providing informal support to others appears to exert a positive effect on well-being in later life" (p. P308). Similar results were presented in a study on social support, exchange, and quality of life among elderly Koreans (Kim et al 2000). Apparently, providing support to adult children can enhance the self-esteem of older adults and contribute to feelings of independence, which in turn can affect life satisfaction.…”

Impacts of Poor Social Support on General Health Status in Community-Dwelling Korean Elderly: The Results from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging

“…On the other hand, tangible support includes material aid and behavioral assistance. Some studies combined 3 subcategories other than tangible support into emotional support and simplified social support with 2 aspects 28,29…”

Equidad en el apoyo social recíproco y satisfacción vital en personas mayores

“…Aunque se han encontrado correlaciones positivas entre dar y recibir ayuda (Grundy, 2005;van Tilburg, & Broese van Groenou, 2002), también existen trabajos que no apoyan ninguna de las dos teorías (Kim, Hisata, Kai, & Lee, 2000). Dado que las evidencias sobre la validez de estas teorías suelen centrarse de manera general en las relaciones familiares y sociales, en este trabajo se ponen a prueba sus postulados, considerando el intercambio de apoyo entre miembros específicos de la red social del individuo.…”